Debbieduck4

Here are my before, during, and after photos. I had my sleeve 12/2014 and the bottom right pic was taken that morning. The top right was about 8 months later, down 70 pounds. And the one on left is now with a loss of 95+ Best thing I ever did! Best of luck to you too

Here are my before, during, and after photos. I had my sleeve 12/2014 and the bottom right pic was taken that morning. The top right was about 8 months later, down 70 pounds. And the one on left is now with a loss of 95+ Best thing I ever did! Best of luck to you too

Here are my before, during, and after photos. I had my sleeve 12/2014 and the bottom right pic was taken that morning. The top right was about 8 months later, down 70 pounds. And the one on left is now with a loss of 95+ Best thing I ever did! Best of luck to you too

I chose the band, because it seemed to be the best option for me personally, I did look at the other procedures and I decided that if something does happen to the band I can go with the sleeve later but let's try not cutting my stomach 1st. I am fully supportive though of anyone's weight loss choice.

I chose the sleeve because:
*I didn't want my guts rearranged (bypass) or a foreign object inside me forever (band)
*I didn't want dumping... I wanted to be able to have a normal life where you have birthday cake once in awhile.
*I liked the idea of the Grehlin reduction because I was always ravenous before
*I didn't want to worry about Vitamin deficiencies/malabsorption that some people get with other surgeries
*My surgeon thought it was the appropriate choice for me
And I feel like it was a great decision!!

If you are not going vegan, here are some vegetarian Protein sources:
Protein drinks/powders
Soy Products
Vegetarian Frozen Products (I really like Bocca and Amy's)
Mozzerella cheese
Cottage cheese
eggs
Yogurt (Greek yogurt is especially good)
Milk, soy milk, almond milk
Nuts
Beans
Lentils
Barley
Oats
Artichokes
Asparagus
Broccoli
Peas
Brussel Sprouts
Kale
Corn
Smaller amounts in bell peppers, carrots, green Beans, cauliflower, mushrooms, and sweet potatoes.
Most fruits have 1g per cup which isn't really anything but can help if you throw a couple in a smoothie.
Raisens have 5g per cup.
Best of luck to you!!

I've been Vegetarian for 6 years now and eat eggs and cheese too. On very rare occasions I will have a little seafood, but it is maybe once or twice a year. There are so many fabulous vegetarian recipes out there and great replacement foods that you will really enjoy! I love love love spicy black bean burgers, Bocca chicken patties, and Morning Star Breakfast sausage. For Protein, I try to get in 60-90 grams each day. I start my day with a scoop of GENEPRO Protein powder in my coffee which is 30 so that's a big head start... then here's other vegetarian protein sources:
Protein powders/shakes
Soy products
Mozzarella cheese
Cottage Cheese
eggs
Greek Yogurt
Milk, Soy Milk, Almond Milk
Nuts
Beans
Lentils
Edamame
Oats
Barley
Artichokes
Asparagus
Broccoli
Peas
Brussel Sprouts
Kale
Corn
..and smaller amounts in bell peppers, carrots, green Beans, cauliflower, mushrooms, and sweet potatoes.
Thank you for considering the lives of our animal friends... not food.
***Also When I first start eating veggie I literally just didn't know what to make, so I thought it might help to know what a typical day looks like... so here's what I ate today:
coffee w/Genepro
Breakfast: Hardboiled egg, Morningstar sausage patty (pre-cooked and ate in the car on the way to work)
Lunch: Leftover vegetarian chili
Snack: Cottage cheese and carrot sticks
Snack: Almonds
Dinner: I'm making Black bean tostada...(Just like regular ones, except I use black beans cooked with taco seasoning as the base)
I also have a sugar free vanilla pudding in the fridge for later

If you are not going vegan, here are some vegetarian Protein sources:
Protein drinks/powders
Soy Products
Vegetarian Frozen Products (I really like Bocca and Amy's)
Mozzerella cheese
Cottage cheese
eggs
Yogurt (Greek yogurt is especially good)
Milk, soy milk, almond milk
Nuts
Beans
Lentils
Barley
Oats
Artichokes
Asparagus
Broccoli
Peas
Brussel Sprouts
Kale
Corn
Smaller amounts in bell peppers, carrots, green Beans, cauliflower, mushrooms, and sweet potatoes.
Most fruits have 1g per cup which isn't really anything but can help if you throw a couple in a smoothie.
Raisens have 5g per cup.
Best of luck to you!!

I think it's really brave of you to be so honest and reach out here! Thank you for just saying the truth of what is going on with you. People are responding with genuine concern because you are one of our own now... we all relate to wanting to eat like we used to, but girl you already know, you can literally damage, injure, hurt yourself. I'm so glad to hear that you're talking to a counselor. You mentioned in your post that your "sleeve was reinforced with both staples and sutures so the likelihood that it will bust is minimal, unless of course I do something drastic." I think this might be where the trouble is, it's in this thinking that you can't hurt your sleeve or that eating chips, carbonated beverages, or stringy meat 4 days after you've had most of your stomach removed isn't drastic. It is! And you can and will rip out your staple/suture line. Please be careful... we care here and want you to be successful. Remember why you chose to have the surgery and give it a chance to work. It won't if you don't follow the post-up steps. They don't last long and before you know it you will be back to eating all your old favorites again. (just in smaller quantities) Best of luck and keep us posted on your progress!

I've been Vegetarian for 6 years now and eat eggs and cheese too. On very rare occasions I will have a little seafood, but it is maybe once or twice a year. There are so many fabulous vegetarian recipes out there and great replacement foods that you will really enjoy! I love love love spicy black bean burgers, Bocca chicken patties, and Morning Star Breakfast sausage. For Protein, I try to get in 60-90 grams each day. I start my day with a scoop of GENEPRO Protein powder in my coffee which is 30 so that's a big head start... then here's other vegetarian protein sources:
Protein powders/shakes
Soy products
Mozzarella cheese
Cottage Cheese
eggs
Greek Yogurt
Milk, Soy Milk, Almond Milk
Nuts
Beans
Lentils
Edamame
Oats
Barley
Artichokes
Asparagus
Broccoli
Peas
Brussel Sprouts
Kale
Corn
..and smaller amounts in bell peppers, carrots, green Beans, cauliflower, mushrooms, and sweet potatoes.
Thank you for considering the lives of our animal friends... not food.
***Also When I first start eating veggie I literally just didn't know what to make, so I thought it might help to know what a typical day looks like... so here's what I ate today:
coffee w/Genepro
Breakfast: Hardboiled egg, Morningstar sausage patty (pre-cooked and ate in the car on the way to work)
Lunch: Leftover vegetarian chili
Snack: Cottage cheese and carrot sticks
Snack: Almonds
Dinner: I'm making Black bean tostada...(Just like regular ones, except I use black beans cooked with taco seasoning as the base)
I also have a sugar free vanilla pudding in the fridge for later

I also got stuck too.. (and not for the first time) and decided to get back to basics which is what everyone always recommends. I made a list of meal ideas for each day.. Example: Breakfast- Protein Shake, smoothie, egg and cottage cheese, egg and turkey bacon, string cheese and almonds.. I did this for each meal and for snack ideas and then posted it on my fridge. Now every single time I want to eat, I look at the list first and choose a healthy idea. This has helped me get unstuck and loose 4 pounds since Thanksgiving. I'm going to keep it up... might work for you too?

I also got stuck too.. (and not for the first time) and decided to get back to basics which is what everyone always recommends. I made a list of meal ideas for each day.. Example: Breakfast- Protein Shake, smoothie, egg and cottage cheese, egg and turkey bacon, string cheese and almonds.. I did this for each meal and for snack ideas and then posted it on my fridge. Now every single time I want to eat, I look at the list first and choose a healthy idea. This has helped me get unstuck and loose 4 pounds since Thanksgiving. I'm going to keep it up... might work for you too?

I think it's really brave of you to be so honest and reach out here! Thank you for just saying the truth of what is going on with you. People are responding with genuine concern because you are one of our own now... we all relate to wanting to eat like we used to, but girl you already know, you can literally damage, injure, hurt yourself. I'm so glad to hear that you're talking to a counselor. You mentioned in your post that your "sleeve was reinforced with both staples and sutures so the likelihood that it will bust is minimal, unless of course I do something drastic." I think this might be where the trouble is, it's in this thinking that you can't hurt your sleeve or that eating chips, carbonated beverages, or stringy meat 4 days after you've had most of your stomach removed isn't drastic. It is! And you can and will rip out your staple/suture line. Please be careful... we care here and want you to be successful. Remember why you chose to have the surgery and give it a chance to work. It won't if you don't follow the post-up steps. They don't last long and before you know it you will be back to eating all your old favorites again. (just in smaller quantities) Best of luck and keep us posted on your progress!

I think it's really brave of you to be so honest and reach out here! Thank you for just saying the truth of what is going on with you. People are responding with genuine concern because you are one of our own now... we all relate to wanting to eat like we used to, but girl you already know, you can literally damage, injure, hurt yourself. I'm so glad to hear that you're talking to a counselor. You mentioned in your post that your "sleeve was reinforced with both staples and sutures so the likelihood that it will bust is minimal, unless of course I do something drastic." I think this might be where the trouble is, it's in this thinking that you can't hurt your sleeve or that eating chips, carbonated beverages, or stringy meat 4 days after you've had most of your stomach removed isn't drastic. It is! And you can and will rip out your staple/suture line. Please be careful... we care here and want you to be successful. Remember why you chose to have the surgery and give it a chance to work. It won't if you don't follow the post-up steps. They don't last long and before you know it you will be back to eating all your old favorites again. (just in smaller quantities) Best of luck and keep us posted on your progress!

I've been Vegetarian for 6 years now and eat eggs and cheese too. On very rare occasions I will have a little seafood, but it is maybe once or twice a year. There are so many fabulous vegetarian recipes out there and great replacement foods that you will really enjoy! I love love love spicy black bean burgers, Bocca chicken patties, and Morning Star Breakfast sausage. For Protein, I try to get in 60-90 grams each day. I start my day with a scoop of GENEPRO Protein powder in my coffee which is 30 so that's a big head start... then here's other vegetarian protein sources:
Protein powders/shakes
Soy products
Mozzarella cheese
Cottage Cheese
eggs
Greek Yogurt
Milk, Soy Milk, Almond Milk
Nuts
Beans
Lentils
Edamame
Oats
Barley
Artichokes
Asparagus
Broccoli
Peas
Brussel Sprouts
Kale
Corn
..and smaller amounts in bell peppers, carrots, green Beans, cauliflower, mushrooms, and sweet potatoes.
Thank you for considering the lives of our animal friends... not food.
***Also When I first start eating veggie I literally just didn't know what to make, so I thought it might help to know what a typical day looks like... so here's what I ate today:
coffee w/Genepro
Breakfast: Hardboiled egg, Morningstar sausage patty (pre-cooked and ate in the car on the way to work)
Lunch: Leftover vegetarian chili
Snack: Cottage cheese and carrot sticks
Snack: Almonds
Dinner: I'm making Black bean tostada...(Just like regular ones, except I use black beans cooked with taco seasoning as the base)
I also have a sugar free vanilla pudding in the fridge for later

I think I'm a rectangle. I have always carried more weight in my middle so thought I was an apple, but I literally have no hips and sadly no booty. haha!

I started drinking coffee right after surgery. In fact, it was one of the liquids offered to me at the surgical center which surprised me. I've never had a problem with it. I usually add a scoop of GENEPRO Protein Powder in the morning to my cup for the extra Protein. I live in the Seattle area and we are definitely fond of our coffee here!

I also got stuck too.. (and not for the first time) and decided to get back to basics which is what everyone always recommends. I made a list of meal ideas for each day.. Example: Breakfast- Protein Shake, smoothie, egg and cottage cheese, egg and turkey bacon, string cheese and almonds.. I did this for each meal and for snack ideas and then posted it on my fridge. Now every single time I want to eat, I look at the list first and choose a healthy idea. This has helped me get unstuck and loose 4 pounds since Thanksgiving. I'm going to keep it up... might work for you too?

I also got stuck too.. (and not for the first time) and decided to get back to basics which is what everyone always recommends. I made a list of meal ideas for each day.. Example: Breakfast- Protein Shake, smoothie, egg and cottage cheese, egg and turkey bacon, string cheese and almonds.. I did this for each meal and for snack ideas and then posted it on my fridge. Now every single time I want to eat, I look at the list first and choose a healthy idea. This has helped me get unstuck and loose 4 pounds since Thanksgiving. I'm going to keep it up... might work for you too?

I also got stuck too.. (and not for the first time) and decided to get back to basics which is what everyone always recommends. I made a list of meal ideas for each day.. Example: Breakfast- Protein Shake, smoothie, egg and cottage cheese, egg and turkey bacon, string cheese and almonds.. I did this for each meal and for snack ideas and then posted it on my fridge. Now every single time I want to eat, I look at the list first and choose a healthy idea. This has helped me get unstuck and loose 4 pounds since Thanksgiving. I'm going to keep it up... might work for you too?

I started drinking coffee right after surgery. In fact, it was one of the liquids offered to me at the surgical center which surprised me. I've never had a problem with it. I usually add a scoop of GENEPRO Protein Powder in the morning to my cup for the extra Protein. I live in the Seattle area and we are definitely fond of our coffee here!

I just found this thread and am so happy I did! I had my VSG Dec 3, 2014. I have met my goal that I set for myself and feel so much better. We are all approaching the 1 year mark. Seems like just yesterday.
Lately though I am worried that I'm starting to slide back into some old habits. I haven't been planning my meals or doing such a great job at taking a healthy snack and/or lunch so I end up eating whatever is convenient when I feel hungry. Yesterday was terrible. I had 1/3 of a flat-bread turkey sandwich from Subway, popcorn and peanut MM's at the movies, and then a bowl of homemade chicken chile for dinner. That's it. Total food. Not such a good day at all! If it was just one day like that I wouldn't be worried but I've been stringing those days together. I need to get back on track. No bread. No sweets. Protein and healthy foods! Does anyone else find themselves going off plan?
Besides the eating, I've had some great non-scale victories this year. I went boot shopping and was able to buy regular boots for the first time in a gazillion years. NO WIDE CALF! I couldn't believe that my leg could fit into a regular woman's boot. Yay team. And they are cute too... knee high black with a cool buckle that I feel amazing wearing
Another little thing I noticed yesterday is that when my hubby and I came out of the grocery store it was pouring rain so I just sprinted to the car. You know, as in running! Haha! Felt awesome.. I just ran like it was something so completely normal.. Didn't get near as wet and it just confirmed that I am in so much better shape than this time last year.
Well, that's it for me... Hope all you other December 2014 sleevers are also doing well. Any tips or suggestions to get back on track with my eating would be appreciated.

I've been Vegetarian for 6 years now and eat eggs and cheese too. On very rare occasions I will have a little seafood, but it is maybe once or twice a year. There are so many fabulous vegetarian recipes out there and great replacement foods that you will really enjoy! I love love love spicy black bean burgers, Bocca chicken patties, and Morning Star Breakfast sausage. For Protein, I try to get in 60-90 grams each day. I start my day with a scoop of GENEPRO Protein powder in my coffee which is 30 so that's a big head start... then here's other vegetarian protein sources:
Protein powders/shakes
Soy products
Mozzarella cheese
Cottage Cheese
eggs
Greek Yogurt
Milk, Soy Milk, Almond Milk
Nuts
Beans
Lentils
Edamame
Oats
Barley
Artichokes
Asparagus
Broccoli
Peas
Brussel Sprouts
Kale
Corn
..and smaller amounts in bell peppers, carrots, green Beans, cauliflower, mushrooms, and sweet potatoes.
Thank you for considering the lives of our animal friends... not food.
***Also When I first start eating veggie I literally just didn't know what to make, so I thought it might help to know what a typical day looks like... so here's what I ate today:
coffee w/Genepro
Breakfast: Hardboiled egg, Morningstar sausage patty (pre-cooked and ate in the car on the way to work)
Lunch: Leftover vegetarian chili
Snack: Cottage cheese and carrot sticks
Snack: Almonds
Dinner: I'm making Black bean tostada...(Just like regular ones, except I use black beans cooked with taco seasoning as the base)
I also have a sugar free vanilla pudding in the fridge for later

Elode I bet you feel like responding to those nasty food email pictures that say I bet you want some with "Not really. What I really like is fitting into my skinny jeans and looking amazing. Bet you wish you could have that too!" They are just jealous plain and simple. And.. you know the old saying, Misery loves company. If you go off track, they'll feel better. You look great, are doing great, and have been a great support here on BP this year. Keep it up!

Elode I bet you feel like responding to those nasty food email pictures that say I bet you want some with "Not really. What I really like is fitting into my skinny jeans and looking amazing. Bet you wish you could have that too!" They are just jealous plain and simple. And.. you know the old saying, Misery loves company. If you go off track, they'll feel better. You look great, are doing great, and have been a great support here on BP this year. Keep it up!